The Dearborn Heights woman accused of swindling a Livonia senior citizen out of thousands of dollars will return to court later this month for a disposition conference.

Charlene Miller, 60, was arraigned in circuit court last week on a charge of attempted false pretenses over $20,000 but less than $50,000. A “not guilty” plea was entered and she is scheduled to return to Circuit Judge James Chylinski’s courtroom in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit Sept. 24 for a disposition conference, according to online court records.

Miller was arrested and originally arraigned on charges last month after a lengthy investigation by the Livonia Police Department. It’s alleged that Miller manipulated a 74-year-old Livonia man over a three-year span, convincing him to pay for things such as furniture, a new car, utilities and other expenses. Credit cards were also opened under his name by Miller, police said.

She waived her preliminary exam late last month in Livonia’s 16th District Court.

Family of the victim said it’s possible she may have taken more than $140,000 from the resident, whom she befriended several years ago. The victim’s sister said she received a call, indicating he was having some financial problems, and came to help her brother. She said it is important for family members to keep an eye out for family members to avoid situations like the one her brother got in.

Miller is currently free on a $100,000/10-percent bond, which was continued after her circuit court arraignment. If convicted, she could face up to life in prison.

Police began investigating shortly after being contacted by the Livonia man and found the suspect had been charged with similar crimes targeting senior citizens in various other communities over a span of 15 years, including another incident in Livonia about 13 years ago. She received a jail sentence in one of her most recent cases, and probation in another case, according to online records.

dveselenak@hometownlife.com | 734-678-6728 Twitter: @DavidVeselenak

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